If you had a billion dollars, how would you spend it? That’s the question that the Michigan legislature answered with the passing of supplemental funding legislation this week.
The bipartisan plan will invest $150 million for COVID school testing, $140 million for rental assistance, $36.3 million for lead testing, water distribution, inspections, blood testing, and more. There is also $14.1 million allocated for Nursing Home Strike Teams to monitor nursing homes in Michigan. Addressing a looming teacher shortage, there is $10 million earmarked to support teacher recruitment, training, development, and retention, and $6.9 million for the Michigan State Police.
Senator Jim Stamas, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee said, “Not only is this responsible, financial good-housekeeping that sets our state up well for the next year, but as a negotiated supplemental, I hope sets the tone for next year’s budget negotiations.”
Governor Gretchen Whitmer praised the work of the legislature saying that she will analyze the legislation with key members of her administration and that she looks forward to signing the supplemental soon.
Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland
